Prolonged rainfall and persistent waterlogging have caused extensive damage to Aush paddy in large areas of Narail district, leaving hundreds of farmers facing heavy financial losses.
Local farmers blamed the situation on blocked natural drainage routes, unplanned fish enclosures and the filling up of canals and drainage channels due to poor maintenance.
They fear the total financial losses from the crop damage will run into several crores of taka.
During a visit to several low-lying areas, including Amadar, Andharkota and Kuchiabari bills in Lohagara upazila, fields were found submerged under chest-deep water.
Instead of ripening paddy, the fields were covered with water lilies and other aquatic weeds, while groups of ducks were seen roaming through the waterlogged farmland.
Affected farmers said the low-lying lands are particularly suitable for the local water-tolerant variety of Aush paddy known as “Ratul Aush.” The variety can grow rapidly as water levels rise.
Farmers had expanded cultivation of the variety this year after obtaining good yields and prices in previous years amid moderate rainfall.
Apart from Lakshmipasha, Ratul Aush was cultivated in more than 50 bills across different unions of the district, including Bangram, Naldhi, Kotakol, Kalabaria, Baiashona, Pohardanga, Khashial, Maijpara and Sekhati.
However, record rainfall that began in mid-July suddenly inundated the low-lying farmland.
Farmers said water remained trapped for a prolonged period because unplanned fish enclosures blocked drainage routes, eventually causing the submerged paddy plants to rot.
The farmers demanded immediate removal of illegal fish enclosures, restoration of blocked canals and drains and re-excavation of connecting canals linked to rivers to improve water drainage.
This year, some 9,107 hectares of land have been brought under Aush paddy cultivation, according to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Narail.
Although officials have estimated the crop damage to be limited, farmers strongly disputed the assessment.
They said some paddy in relatively higher areas survived, but most of the crops in low-lying areas had rotted, resulting in losses worth several crores of taka.
Muhammad Arifur Rahman, deputy director of the Narail Department of Agricultural Extension, said the agriculture department was coordinating with other relevant government agencies to restore drainage systems and recover canals that have been filled in or disappeared.
“Permanent waterlogging in the low-lying water body areas has become a major threat to agricultural activities,” he said.
